7/26/2012 - Sea levels rising exponentially along Atlantic

A new report may encourage coastal homeowners who are not covered to obtain flood insurance, as a new report indicates sea levels are rising at a heavy clip.

According to a study published in the journal Nature Climate Change by the U.S. Geological Survey, sea levels along the Atlantic coast are rising three to four times faster than they are at a global level. Furthermore, if average temperatures continue to be as high as they have been, the pace of sea level rise could continue to increase in the coming years.

Marcia McNutt, USGS director, indicated that the notion that sea levels ebb and flow at the same rate throughout the world is inaccurate.

"Many people mistakenly think that the rate of sea level rise is the same everywhere as glaciers and ice caps melt, increasing the volume of ocean water, but other effects can be as large or larger than the so-called 'eustatic' rise," said McNutt. "As demonstrated in this study, regional oceanographic contributions must be taken into account in planning for what happens to coastal property."

Flooding is the most common type of natural disaster worldwide, accounting for roughly 40% of all environmental catastrophes, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates. Make sure you’re prepared if a flood should occur - to learn more about flood insurance from Selective, click here.